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Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development (MA)

This interdisciplinary program is designed primarily for professionals currently employed in philanthropy and nonprofit settings.

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Overview

Earn your degree entirely online -- from anywhere

The UNI Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services, in cooperation with Continuing and Distance Education, offers a master's degree program in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development via distance learning. No on-campus attendance is required.

Designed primarily for professionals currently employed in philanthropy and nonprofit settings with 3-5 years of experience (preferred but not required), this interdisciplinary program has the following goals:

to develop and enhance professionals' skills and knowledge in the fundraising and nonprofit sectors

to further students' understanding of ethical policy and legal issues as they relate to philanthropy and nonprofit development

to advance students' knowledge of scholarly research, theories and models in the area of nonprofit organizational development, donor relations, grant writing, corporate/foundation relations, advocacy, public funding and evaluation/accountability

to enhance students' mastery of skills in the aforementioned areas

The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development MA program was recently ranked #6 on the Best Online Master’s in Nonprofit Management Degree Programs by TheBestSchools.org, and ranked in the Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership by Best Value Schools.

Course delivery

Fall and spring courses are taught in eight-week modules, with some courses meeting Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. (CST) via Zoom. Some courses and coursework are offered online using eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system requiring Internet access and a web browser. Summer courses will be four weeks in length and may include video conferencing sessions on Monday evenings.

While most students encounter very few technical difficulties with our online courses, our team of support specialists is available to assist you as needed.

The technical staff was on hand to help you in a timely fashion. They were always courteous, caring, and friendly even to a non-tech savvy older student like me. The ease of signing up was so convenient and hassle free, especially if you have a full and demanding career. The library personnel and the tech staff were invaluable in making the program accessible and understandable. I was a returning older student who had not been to school for 30 years. With the help of UNI staff like Dr. Dieser, I was able not only to accomplish my master's but thrive in doing so! I am so grateful!

The cost seems greatly reduced without sacrificing quality or academics. Being able to “meet” professionals from all over the country in many highly esteemed organizations and learning from them without having to move myself or my family was just a phenomenal experience. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. If I couldn’t have taken this at a distance, I would not have received this quality of education. At a distance you can benefit from a very broad range of experience from different parts of the country and levels of professional expertise.

As a young nonprofit professional, the program gives credibility to my resume and offered me an opportunity to network with other nonprofit professionals. In fact, I was introduced to my first employer post-graduation who was a guest speaker in a first semester course! I recommend this program to anyone who is looking to further their career in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development. The curriculum is a broad overview of all aspects of the nonprofit sector, and the research paper allowed me to dive deeper into a relevant and timely topic that fit my career path and interests. Thanks to Dr. Rod Dieser’s considerate guidance, I was able to have my research reviewed and approved prior to graduation.

The University of Northern Iowa offered me the unique opportunity to attend classes through my computer and a headset, make personal connections and develop camaraderie with my fellow cohorts. When I completed the program, I had an enormous sense of accomplishment, a heightened awareness to new thoughts and a professional empowerment to advance my career.

Tentative course scheduleClick on a course title to view the course description (if available).

Fall 2019

LYHS

6203

Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development: An Overview

Introductory course to the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development program designed to give broad coverage for professionals and an overview of studies in philanthropy and nonprofit development. Prerequisite(s): admission into the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development graduate program or consent of instructor.

3 unit(s)

LYHS

6406

Fundraising and Grant Seeking for Nonprofit Agencies

Comprehensive study of various funding sources and the methodology of nonprofit organizations to secure resources.

3 unit(s)

Spring 2020

LYHS

6410

Evaluation, Research and Accountability

Survey of advanced nonprofit organization research methods. Research in the area selected by student. Preparation and presentation of research proposal or major paper. Prerequisite(s): admission into the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development graduate program or consent of instructor.

Students will learn about the psychology underlying giving including topics such as altruism and persuasion. Legal and ethical issues will be covered as they relate to philanthropy, including regulation/governance, tax law, and standards for professional conduct. Prerequisite(s): admission into the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development graduate program.

Financial function of the nonprofit agency incorporating technical materials applicable to the decision-making role of the agency.

3 unit(s)

Spring 2021

COMM PR

5855

Public Relations Campaign Methods

Analysis and production of public relations tools; techniques to gain reaction and support from specialized groups. Planning and preparation of public relations communications materials and use of controlled (public) media to reach target audiences. Prerequisite(s): COMM PR 1811 (48P:005); junior standing.

Policy context of philanthropy and nonprofit development; the role of nonprofits in policy development and advocacy. Prerequisite(s): admission into the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development graduate program.

2 unit(s)

FAQs

General information

What are the costs?

All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of location, making it an affordable option for all students.

Tuition for the 2019-20 academic year is $509 per unit of graduate credit or $320 per unit of undergraduate credit. An additional technology fee per course may apply. Tuition and fees are expected to rise each May, typically announced by the Iowa Board of Regents in March.

Do I qualify for financial aid?

Distance education students may qualify for financial aid with the following eligibility requirements:

Since its establishment in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School, the University of Northern Iowa has maintained its affirmed commitment to the support of excellence in teacher education. That commitment remains strong as the university continues to prepare students to become teachers, as well as provide opportunities for career advancement in the field of education. In addition to a commitment to teaching, our faculty members are engaged in research, writing and professional development. View UNI's national rankings and honors.

I'm not sure about distance learning. How can I make sure it’s right for me?

The University of Northern Iowa is committed to providing comprehensive support services for distance education students. The Office of Continuing and Distance Education serves as your primary point of contact in accessing distance education support services, including enrollment services, technical support for online course tools and more. You are also given access to the UNI Rod Library’s print and electronic collections for your convenience. View a complete list of services and support resources.

Please contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 319-273-7206, 800-648-3864 or distance@uni.edu with any questions. If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find it.

Will academic advising assistance be provided?

You will work with the program coordinator when communicating about the program of study. Once participating in the program, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with you one-on-one regarding your progress in the program.

Program specific information

How do I get started?

See the "Next Steps" tab above for information. If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator(s) and/or enrollment contact below or contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at ContinuingEd@uni.edu.

What happens if I miss a course in the sequence?

While it is often possible to make up courses that are missed, our commitment is to deliver the courses as outlined in the cohort schedule. This is not designed as a program in which students come and go. Rather, the cohort model requires that students take the prescribed sequence in unison. Should you need to miss a course, you should consult with your program advisor for options.

Is the GRE or any other examination required?

There are no entrance exam requirements for this program.

How will I enroll in the courses?

When you have completed the steps to admission and have been accepted into the program, we will send you details and information about how to enroll in the first course. After you participate in the first term of courses in the cohort sequence, the Office of Continuing and Distance Education will notify you with enrollment details for the next term of courses as they become available. You are required to enroll in your courses each semester.

Can I take the courses out of sequence or start at a later date?

The program is planned so that students move through the sequence of courses as a cohort group. The first course forms a foundation for the program and includes an introduction unit describing the program goals, sequence of courses, standards, rubrics and academic expectations. For that reason, it is important that you enroll and complete the courses in the same sequence. Program faculty expect that students have a growing knowledge of concepts built upon a prescribed sequence of courses. In addition, program faculty work to build an online community as students move through the course sequence together.

How are the courses delivered?

For information about course delivery, please see the "Overview" tab above.

Additional FAQs

What are the GPA guidelines?

Undergraduate GPA

Admission consideration

3.0 and above

May be considered for full admission

2.75-2.99

May be considered for provisional admission

Less than 2.75

May be denied admission

Can transfer credits from another college/university apply toward program requirements?

In general, students complete the full set of courses outlined in the program. It is possible to transfer a limited number of graduate credits. However, this credit must meet the following criteria:

Course must be a regular graduate course with a graduate course number (not professional development or college credit through an Educational Agency or conference).

Course must be taken by the student in graduate status, and the official transcript must show a grade of B- or better earned.

Course must be applicable as a graduate requirement at the institution where it is taken.

Course must be taught by regular graduate faculty.

Course must meet the UNI seven-year recency requirement.

Academic departments will determine whether or not they wish to accept transfer credit even if it meets the above requirements. These criteria were established to prevent credits not intended for use toward graduate degrees (i.e., Area Education Agency/professional development credits) from being used to meet UNI degree program requirements.

What are the benefits of pursuing the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development MA degree?

The primary goal of the program is to develop and enhance professional skills and knowledge in philanthropy (e.g., cause marketing, strategic planning) and the nonprofit sectors. A unique feature of this master's degree is that the course sequence allows students to complete their research papers while simultaneously completing course assignments. The program is truly a graduate program focused on a student-centered model.

Next Steps

We want to hear from you!

Please complete the online interest form to the right to express your interest in joining a future Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development MA cohort. We will use the information you provide to send you program updates, including important information about application deadlines.

Delivery of the program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.